Jammin' Jane

Oh, how funny...
My 84 year old mother just asked me today if I knew how to say "NO"!!! An hour before that a girlfriend emailed me to see if I wanted to go to a quilt club with her tomorrow night. I actually said no because I am squeezing 5 work days into 4 this week.
I still can't believe I turned her down!!! Maybe I am ill!

Cassews

I hear ya there, he just volunteered me to do brother in law's work shirts with his name on them (embroidery). Umm well if I have time I will otherwise I am busy.. I really dislike it when DH volunteers me, so I volunteer him whenever he does that to me. Fair is fair

madamekelly

My response to these people is, "Oh gee, I'm afraid I will spoil it. I am not as good as you think, at such things." This is the exact reason I don't miss driving, but being a prisoner to where everyone else thinks I should go, is no picnic either.

CMARAS1234

SMILE SWEETLY AND SAY THAT JUST DOESN"T WORK FOR ME." THANKS ANYWAY. CMARAS

debcavan

My mother doesn't answer the phone unless you leave a message. That is the way she screens her calls.

fratcat

when I was a single lady and working full time, I was always amazed at how many of my fellow workers thought I wouldn't mind taking over and doing their jobs becuase I had no responsibilities at home. I still had to clean, launder, shop, take care of my pets, attend various social functions and clubs becuase I belonged to several, but having no husband and having no children meant that I had nothing important to do with my life. I have been happily married for 17 years and I have no children, however, I have a husband, a house full of pets, volunteer at the animal shelter and work 4-5 hours a day outside of my home. Now, when someone wants to volunteer me for something, I always just tell them I am booked solid for the next month and cannot handle anything else. I have learned to say 'no' to anything that is not important to me.

CMARAS1234

i

CMARAS1234

I SCREEN ALL CALLS. ALSO

Ramona Byrd

. Sorry, but she is going to have one rude NO!!!

Too bad I don't have caller ID. LOL
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Get a cheap answering machine, and listen to it before picking up the phone. That's as good as Caller ID.

My phone is my servant, I am not owned by my phone. I will answer when and only when I choose.

StitchinJoy

Yes. Say "Oh! I wish I could, but I'm busy." And then say "Oh!Oh! I gotta go! Talk to you soon." And hang up.

Do it often enough and they start asking someone else.

Be prepared-- you may start to hear rumors about how unreliable and unsociable you are. Ah well.

I figured out a while back that I can be everyone's maid, waitress, and doormat, or I can choose who to have a friendly, healthy relationship with-- those people who help me when Ineed help. Those are the people I choose help.